With the short return to learning onsite at the end of last term, it feels like such a long time since we were together, so we are very grateful that we have made a full return to school this week. 

We are hopeful that we will continue to be at school together throughout this term and remain safe and healthy. We are still in Level 3 restrictions, as we were at the end of Term 3. A letter came out to families with information about this prior to us starting school. Dependent on the directives from the Government, we are also hopeful of a reduction in some of the restrictions to allow us to do some of the things we currently can’t. We will continue to update you as we can.

UNIFORMS - GETTING THROUGH TO THE END OF 2021

In Term 3, parents and carers received a letter outlining the final result of the Uniform Review and changes across St Agnes’ Parish schools, commencing in 2022. We are unsure at this point on a date when the new uniforms will be released for purchase for 2022, but expect this to be late in 2021. 

We remind families that there is a phase in period for the new uniforms so that current uniforms in good condition can remain in use for 2022, should families wish to. To ensure all students can make it through 2021 with correct uniforms, there has been an agreed decision for students from Kindergarten to Year 6 across our three schools. If students are growing out of, or wearing out their current summer uniforms (particularly Year 6 who will be leaving at the end of the year), they are allowed to continue wearing their correct sports uniform on any day of Term 4. If families still have their summer uniform in good condition, they can continue to follow the roster of which uniform to wear that has been updated for Term 4 and shared with you today in the Sport Spotlight article of the newsletter.

Please also remember that we have many items of clothing in our second hand room at school, and any family requiring a uniform is welcome to visit and select what they need to ensure their child has the correct uniform. We cannot guarantee the sizes, but will do our best to assist. If you have any items you are able to donate to others, please let us know.

GOING RED FOR DYSLEXIA

You may be aware that October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects children and adults’ ability to read and has a significant impact on their schooling and life. St Agnes’ Parish and our schools are supporting awareness of dyslexia through two key ways this year. On Friday 15th October, staff and students are invited and encouraged to wear something red. We are also going to use some resources from Dyslexia Mid North Coast to work with our students and families across the month of October to help understand dyslexia. 

A local student and member of St Agnes’ Parish, is Georgia Ryan. Below is a little about her and a video explaining why she has become a Dyslexia Youth Ambassador. We also would like to acknowledge that our very own Blake Herbert in Year 4 is a Dyslexia Ambassador, and will be involved with our month of awareness. You will hear more of his story in the coming weeks.

Georgia has been a Dyslexia Mid North Coast Youth Ambassador since 2019 and is a student at MacKillop College. We were first introduced when Georgia reached out to Dyslexia Mid North Coast to attend Luminosity in 2018 to see one of her heroes, dyslexic sailor Jessica Watson.

Since then Georgia has gone from strength to strength petitioning Federal and State governments to improve teacher training in specific learning difficulties and has been recognised in NSW Parliament for her contribution. Fairfax newspapers called Georgia a ‘trailblazer’, MindFood journalist Cat Rodie referred to Georgia as a Dyslexia Warrior, and we think she is truly an amazing young lady who is creating positive change for all children with dyslexia.

October is Dyslexia Awareness month and Georgia has kindly taken the time to record a video to shed a light on living with dyslexia and to encourage you to support, embrace and be proactive in creating positive changes for children with Dyslexia.